What’s in the cards for 2016?

You don’t have to be a prognosticator or gambler to figure out a few of the issues that will be dealt to us in 2016. A lot of the cards are already in our hands, which makes it pretty clear what some of the stories in the coming year will be.

The Viki Lyne II will continue to be a story for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle; and if it hasn’t been removed from the harbour by next December, it will be a story in 2017 as well. There’s absolutely no excuse for that boat to be sitting where it is.

Continued growth, innovation and development by the Stz’uminus First Nation will also be on our pages in the coming year. There’s the Holland Creek Development to talk about, and the Oyster Sto’lo Road project, just to name a couple that are being moved along by the Coast Salish Development Corp.

Education is always a news focus, and the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District will continue to make headlines – particularly from the southern extremity of the district, where it’s sometimes hard not to feel like the tail of the dog.

There are many issues to follow-up on when it comes to the social and health files in our communities. The results of several studies suggest there’s work to be done making Ladysmith and Chemainus caring and healthy. Two in particular come to mind: the Early Development Index suggests not all children here are getting a fair start in life; and the health hazard posed by wood smoke is something the Cowichan Valley Regional District will be considering in an air shed protection strategy.

The arts in Ladysmith and Chemainus are always a source of inspiring news. Look for stories out of the incessantly active Ladysmith Arts Council and Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society; and wondrous productions from the artists, musicians, writers, actors and others who call Ladysmith and Chemainus home.

Climate change and environmental issues will be prominent on our pages, of course…

Then there’s the wild cards. That would be you, the ever fascinating citizens of our communities, who make covering the news here as rewarding as it is fun.